Maersk and Cochin Shipyard partner to explore ship repairs and shipbuilding activities in India
MUMBAI : A.P. Moller – Maersk and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration opportunities in ship repair, maintenance, and building activities in India. This strategic partnership aligns with the Government of India’s Vision 2047 maritime objectives and recent Union Budget 2025-26 announcements to position India among the top five global maritime hubs.
The collaboration comes at a crucial time when the global shipping industry is expected to face capacity constraints in ship repair yards around the world. This partnership signifies a strategic step towards establishing India as a premier maritime service centre. Under the MoU, Maersk will leverage its expertise as an off-taker in its global fleet to strengthen CSL’s capabilities, primarily focusing on container ship maintenance, repair, and drydocking operations.
As we witness unprecedented growth in global maritime trade, our collaboration with CSL represents our commitment to strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure. The first Maersk vessel repair at CSL, planned already for 2025, will mark the beginning of what we envisage as a long-term collaborative relationship.
Leonardo Sonzio
Head of Fleet Management & Technology, A.P. Moller – Maersk
This partnership marks a significant milestone in CSL’s journey as the leading ship repairer in India. Combining Maersk’s global expertise with CSL’s capabilities would help position ourselves to capture a larger share of the global ship repair and building market.
Rajesh Gopalakrishnan
Executive Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited
The MoU encompasses several key areas of cooperation:
- Technical expertise sharing for achieving global standards in ship maintenance
- Exploration of ship repair, dry docking, and new building opportunities
- Joint training programs focusing responsible practices
- Skill development initiatives for both CSL employees and Maersk seafarers
The timing of this collaboration is particularly significant, as it aligns with the Government’s recent announcements in the Union Budget 2025-26 regarding the establishment of shipbuilding and repair clusters, as well as the creation of a dedicated Shipping Development Fund to secure long-term, low-cost financing for the sector. This partnership is expected to contribute significantly to India’s maritime sector growth, supporting the government’s vision of developing world-class ship repair and building capabilities within the country. The collaboration will initially focus on vessels up to 7,000 TEU for afloat repairs and up to 4,000 TEU for dry-docking, with capabilities expected to expand over time.
About Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk is an integrated logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs around 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and reduced GHG emissions fuels.
About Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
CSL is a Government of India (GoI) enterprise established in 1972 under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is a leading shipbuilding and ship repair company having PAN India presence with facilities in Mumbai, Kolkata, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Udupi. CSL is a globally renowned player in shipbuilding & ship repair, delivering state-of-the-art vessels to clients across continents. With a legacy of excellence, CSL has built an impressive portfolio, including high-tech ships for defense including aircraft carrier, commercial shipping, and offshore industries.